One Night Stand

It’s hardly an original observation that intimidation, bullying and desperation are rife in the acting profession – and these experiences are usually twice as bad for new recruits. One Night Stand tells the story of a despotic school ran by a depraved, jealous teacher – a snapshot of the disturbing manner in which lines can be blurred before they are crossed.

Thomas (Tom Sidney) is warned by his teacher Geoff (AJ Jones) that he has to improve in acting class or his place is under threat. Taking an unusual interest in his relationship with fellow student Jess (Lauren Darbyshire), Geoff gives Tom the chance to impress in class by acting out a scene in which the two have had a one-night stand. But the scene takes an unpleasant direction as Geoff insists on an ever-more sinister escalation.

One Night Stand is an uncomfortable look at power dynamics in the acting world. Viewers are shown how the jealous, sexual whims of a teacher are played out in his treatment of two students, under the pretence of helping them achieve something great. Thomas is isolated and threatened with expulsion from the class unless he improves – with a clear edict to follow his teacher’s commands. Geoff’s interest in Jess results in her being placed in a vulnerable position – being forced to strip in front of the class and put up with second-hand intimidation from her scene partner. Yet neither feel in a position to push back against their teacher – nor do other students in the class feel a need to step in until things have gone too far.

The plot does a solid job of demonstrating how manipulators can gradually escalate abuse in front of others, especially in environments that they can control. However, it may have benefitted from additional context that is missing from the story. Viewers are intentionally left in the dark about the actual nature of the relationship (or lack thereof) between Tom and Jess. It is an interesting omission from director/writer Michael Long which makes Geoff’s obsession with the pair more elusive. Some extra background to the pair themselves would however have been welcome, and without this one is left wondering why neither feel able to stand up to their tormenter sooner or empathise with Tom quite as easily.

For a film that gets into some really dark territory, it also feels like a larger point is needed to be underlined than the film commits to. The continuation of Geoff’s dominance of his students and ability to maintain his reign of terror over his class can be taken as a commentary on the resilient nature of abusers in the acting space – a notable unfortunate truth that is well documented. But the film feels like more of a snapshot than a story, and seems to suggest that this dynamic is a wheel that will keep on turning. If this is the film’s point, there have been better and more insightful examples of how such individuals and actions are excused than One Night Stand ever really gets into. And with characters that are quite one-note and contextless, the film is unlikely also to leave much of a lasting impression.